If you want to have a small pet, then you should consider buying a guinea pig. This animal does not need to be walked and trained, such as a dog. Enough spacious cage, as well as good feed and hay. These animals are well tamed to the hands, quite unpretentious and peaceful. You can buy a guinea pig in special nurseries or pet stores.
The guinea pig is a charming and calm rodent pet, an average of 30-35 centimeters in length. They usually do not bite, are not aggressive and easily get used to their owners, and also become a house friend. Pigs usually sleep at night, so it is much more convenient to keep them than hamsters, which have an active life at night.
There are many breeds of these animals from hairless to long-haired. You need to decide on the breed, or visit several pet stores and see the guinea pigs available there. But it is better to buy a same-sex pair of guinea pigs, because unlike hamsters alone, these animals get bored.
Guinea pigs live in cages, but they are very fond of walking around the apartment. The main thing is not to leave animals unattended. And during good weather, you can build a small pen in the garden and let the pig go for a walk there. It is better to build a corral in the shade. The pet will rest from the cage, "stretch its legs" and eat fresh grass.
Harnesses and leashes should not be used on guinea pigs. If you need to transport the pig somewhere, you need to use a special carrier, and a carrier for cats is also suitable.
Cell selection
Pets need a spacious cage from 40 cm in height so that animals can stand on their hind legs, and the floor should have a minimum size of 80 x 60 cm. You can make a cage yourself or buy at a pet store, or order from an online store.
For litter, use large sawdust, shavings or granular sawdust for a cat litter box. If you plan to use wood filler, then you can lay PVC rugs on top, otherwise the animal's legs may hurt from hard granules. PVC rugs as flooring are approved by veterinarians, the main thing is that there is sawdust or filler under it. Also, these rugs can be washed in the washing machine. The bedding should be changed 1-2 times a week.
In the cage you need to buy:
- automatic drinker (if you took two gilts, it is better to buy two drinkers);
- a heavy food bowl so that the pig does not overturn the feeder;
- sennik;
- hammock for a guinea pig;
It is better to exclude the house; instead, a hammock or a special pipe is great. This will allow you to tame the pig faster, as it will not hide in the house and will get used to people faster.
The cage should be placed in a place in the house where there will be no drafts and the pig will not freeze. The optimum temperature for her is 20-22 ° C.
Food and treats
The basis of the guinea pig's diet is hay - about 80% of the daily diet. You can prepare it yourself or purchase it in specialized stores.
In second place is grain feed, which is sold in pet stores.
It is also necessary to give the animals a juicy food: vegetables and fruits, excluding citrus fruits. Pigs are very fond of carrots, apples, lettuce, cucumbers and more.
In summer, in addition to the above, you can give your guinea pigs fresh washed grass, and in winter you can germinate oats.
